Kearsarge personnel help deliver disaster relief to Haiti

The crew of the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge has begun delivering food and water to Haiti to help with disaster relief.

Helicopters helped by airlifting supplies, pilots have conducted site surveys and landing craft utility vehicles have helped with retrieval of supplies for distribution, a Navy news release says.

The Kearsarge was diverted from a humanitarian mission to Colombia, the Navy said.

The Portsmouth-based Coast Guard Cutter Legare also has been helping with supplies to Haiti, according to that agency.

The cutter was in the Caribbean Sea and was sent to Haiti to help deliver food, water, tarps and hygiene kits.

Personnel from both vessels helped deliver more than 40 tons of food and supplies, the Navy and Coast Guard said.